Vegas Golden Knights vs Florida Panthers 6/8/2023 Picks, Tips and Previews
Stanley Cup Final – Game 3, VGK leads series 2-0
Get ready for an exhilarating showdown as the Florida Panthers and the Vegas Golden Knights clash in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final at FLA Live Arena on Thursday. Following their dominant 7-2 victory on Monday night, Vegas currently holds a commanding 2-0 series lead. The Golden Knights’ offense was led by the exceptional performance of Jonathan Marchessault, who contributed two goals and an assist, while goaltender Adin Hill made an impressive 29 saves on 31 shots.
Thursday’s game marks Adin Hill’s 14th start in the postseason, and he enters with an impressive goals-against average (GAA) of 2.06 after 13 playoff games. Meanwhile, Jonathan Marchessault has emerged as a strong contender for the Conn Smythe Trophy, boasting an impressive tally of 12 goals and 8 assists in 19 playoff games. Jack Eichel, the Golden Knights’ winger, has also made a notable impact in his first playoff appearance, leading the team with a total of 22 points.
The Vegas Golden Knights displayed their dominance in Game 2 with a resounding 7-2 victory over the Panthers. Their relentless offensive performance was evident as they attempted a total of 28 shots, converting seven of them into goals. The Golden Knights capitalized on their opportunities, scoring twice on four power-play chances. However, their aggressive play resulted in 64 penalty minutes during the game.
Throughout the season, the Golden Knights have demonstrated their offensive prowess, scoring 225 goals while allowing 181 goals at even strength. Their power play has also been formidable, with 44 goals scored on 195 attempts, ranking them 32nd in NHL history. Overall, the Golden Knights hold a respectable 14th place in goal scoring in professional hockey, with 267 goals scored and 225 goals allowed. With a shooting percentage of 10.3% and a point percentage of .677, the team has accumulated 111 points so far. They have faced 2,533 shots and maintain a solid save percentage of .911. Additionally, Vegas has capitalized on 42 of their 207 power play opportunities, resulting in a success rate of 20.29%.
Vegas Golden Knights vs Florida Panthers 6/8/2023 Picks, Tips and Previews
The Florida Panthers enter Game 3 with a sense of urgency as they strive to secure a victory on home ice. After suffering an 8-2 goal deficit in just two games against Vegas, the Panthers must significantly improve their performance if they want to turn the series in their favor. In particular, goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky, who had a rough outing in Game 2, allowing four goals on 13 shots before being replaced, is expected to make a comeback on Thursday. The Panthers heavily rely on their top scorer, Matthew Tkachuk, who has recorded 10 goals and 12 assists in the playoffs, to provide the much-needed offensive firepower.
In Game 2, the Panthers managed to score two goals out of their 31 shots on goal. Despite receiving four power play opportunities, they failed to convert on any of them. Throughout the season, the Panthers have accumulated a total of 288 goals, 92 points, and a points percentage of .561. Their defense has allowed 272 goals, including 202 at even strength and 70 while shorthanded. The Panthers excel on the power play, ranking eighth in hockey with 63 goals scored, out of which 276 opportunities have been presented, resulting in a success rate of 22.83%. The team leads the league in shots with 3,019 and boasts the highest shooting percentage at 9.54%. Their opponents have fired 2,603 shots, and on 291 power play opportunities, the Panthers maintain a penalty kill rate of 75.95%. Their goaltenders have achieved a save percentage of 89.6%.
Fans can expect to see Sergei Bobrovsky guarding the net for the Panthers in their quest for a series comeback. Throughout his career, Bobrovsky has faced a total of 18,835 shots, stopping an impressive 17,232 of them, resulting in a save percentage of .915. With a career record of 360-207-51 in 642 games played, he has surrendered a total of 1,603 goals, averaging 2.61 goals against per game. Bobrovsky’s experience shines through with 359 quality starts in his career, giving him a quality start percentage of 57.3%. He has accumulated 36,909 minutes on the ice across 626 starts.
As the Panthers aim to turn the tide in their favor, Thursday’s game promises an intense battle on the ice, with both teams showcasing their strengths and fighting for victory in the quest for the Stanley Cup.
Vegas Golden Knights vs Florida Panthers. The NHL pick is the Florida Panthers. As they head into Thursday’s game hoping to take a 3-0 series lead, the Golden Knights have had one of the most overpowering starts in Stanley Cup Final history. Unfortunately, the Panthers’ final two games saw them play their worst in the playoffs, so their outstanding effort on Thursday was necessary. Expect Sergei Bobrovsky to return and lead the Panthers to their first Stanley Cup Final triumph. The Panthers are predicted to triumph by a score of 4-3.
NHL Starting Time: 8:00 P.M. ET
Location: FLA Live Arena in Miami, Florida
Date: Thursday, June 8, 2023
TV: TNT
NHL Odds: Florida Panthers -120
NHL TOTALS: 6.0
